Thousands protest in Germany urging faster green shift

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🗞️ Driving the news: Tens of thousands of protesters marched across Germany demanding a faster transition to renewable energy, accusing the government of Friedrich Merz of slowing the country’s climate ambitions

🔭 The context: Demonstrations took place in major cities including Berlin, Cologne, Hamburg and Munich, with activists waving signs reading “renewables are our life” and “escape the fossil fuel trap”
• Protest organisers, including groups such as Greenpeace and World Wide Fund for Nature, criticised policies from the ruling coalition, particularly plans to expand gas-fired power plants and support for loosening EU car emissions rules
• Climate activists argue these steps risk slowing progress toward Germany’s climate targets, even though the country already produces a majority of its electricity from renewable sources

🌍 Why it matters: Germany is Europe’s largest economy and one of the most influential players in shaping the continent’s climate policy
• Decisions taken in Berlin could significantly impact the pace of the broader European Union energy transition

💬 One quote: “The war in Iran and exploding energy prices make it very clear once again that we need to free ourselves from fossil fuels as quickly as possible.” — Christoph Bautz, campaign group Campact

📈 One stat: Organisers estimate around 80,000 people joined demonstrations nationwide, though police reported lower turnout figures

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